I am so excited to be part of the Australian blog tour for Becca Fitzpatrick’s latest thriller, Dangerous Lies. It’s dangerous, peoples. IT LIES. But I am not lying ” when I tell you it’s stupendous. SO! I’m kicking off the Aussie tour (!!) and I shall be reviewing and throwing lots of bookphotography at you.

Because throwing scary books is a good way to deal with them, as you can see above.

Don’t forget to go peek at everyone else’s posts on the tour! There’ll be lots of creative content and probably screaming. I mean, that’s just a guess. But I’m good at guessing.

YES I SHRUNK MY SISTER FOR THIS PHOTO OPPORTUNITY.

Whilst snacking on Dangerous Lies, I felt like I could describe it in four words: “THE GRAND PENDULUM SWING.”

“But why, Cait?” you ask. And I shall answer. See, for the first few chapters I didn’t like it at all. I was growling and frothing at the mouth because of stuck-up, immature characters. But by the end? I absolutely adored the book an extraordinary amount. This hasn’t happened to me before! Hoooow do I handle all my feels for this?!?

This is my 4th Becca Fitzpatrick book, and this is BY FAR my favourite. It took me a while to warm up to the Dangerous Lies characters. Stella starts off an incredibly UNLIKEABLE brat. To the point where I cared 3% if the baddies got her. She had a bad attitude, she was spoiled and snobby and deluded. She was in witness protect for goodness sakes, but still trying to get secret messages through to her boyfriend? NO. She was rude for no reason to her protector. Althoooough…the lady she stayed with in witness protection — a cranky ex-cop named Carmina — was just about as sour.

I found it hard to read about two unlikeable characters….until…they suddenly WEREN’T so unlikeable anymore. The character development is A+ here, peoples!! At the end I literally wanted to scoop Carmina and Stella up and make them be a family forever and feed them warm pretzels and happiness. The brat and the crusty cracker had marshmallow insides. ADORABLE.

I also loved the family themes!! SO MUCH FAMILY. Family in books is my favourite, by the way, and I adored how Dangerous Lies was all about “family” not just meaning the humans related to you.

And it touched on forgiveness, too. But I like that it was fair about it. It wasn’t a mindless “forgive everyone and let yourself be walked over”, it was about forgiving AND living for yourself. Gah. I swear the book is not goopy, per se, but I got goopy feels.

Plus it’s SERIOUSLY American. Like all, outback American. (Oh forgive me Americans…what do you call yourselves? Rednecks? Country hicks? Pardon my Australianness here, but I want to say “YER ALL BOGANS”.) I really enjoyed the dusty country feel and the ya’lls (which I think is a hilarious word and makes me giggle) and the names like Chet, Dixie-Jo, Trigger, and Inny, etc. There was iced tea on the porch and cattle ranches and cowboys. I LIKED IT, YA’LL.

While it’s about witness protection, there’s not actually a lot of action. It reads more like a summery book with plenty of romance — ya know, summer with a dash of drugs, abandonment, MUUUUURDER, and lies. SO MANY LIES. I was still 100% glued to the page, flipping as fast as I could chew words because ANSWERS. GIVE THEM TO ME NOW. And that’s what a good book should do.

The ending is SO INTENSE. It was fast and I was freaking out that there weren’t enough pages to tie it up nicely. But it did!! I’m pleased with the finale too, not that it’s happy per se — it was just really GOOD.

For me, Dangerous Lies wasn’t fast-paced, but it was uber addictive. It’s exciting and terrifying — and sweet (AWWW) and the author doesn’t spare her characters. Seriously. The character development is like my favourite thing. Also this book helpfully confirms to me how much I really don’t want to get shot. I ain’t ever going to America, ya’ll.

(I actually don’t know what “ya’ll” means exactly. Is it “hey you” or “you all” or “yes you, good sir, may I have your attention”. But it is kind of fun to say. So…Y’ALL YA’ALL Y’ALL.

THANK YOU TO SIMON & SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA FOR THE ARC! Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick is published 10th of November, 2015.

Stella Gordon is not her real name. Thunder Basin, Nebraska, is not her real home. This is not her real life. After witnessing a lethal crime, Stella Gordon is sent to the middle of nowhere for her own safety before she testifies against the man she saw kill her mother’s drug dealer. But Stella was about to start her senior year with the boyfriend she loves. How can she be pulled away from the only life she knows and expected to start a new one in Nebraska? Stella chafes at her protection and is rude to everyone she meets. She’s not planning on staying long, so why be friendly? Then she meets Chet Falconer and it becomes harder to keep her guard up, even as her guilt about having to lie to him grows. As Stella starts to feel safer, the real threat to her life increases—because her enemies are actually closer than she thinks…

are you a fan of Becca Fitzpatrick books?! (which is your favourite?) is Dangerous Lies on your TBR because IT BASICALLY SHOULD BE, OKAY? the overlord has spoken. also! what’s a book with exceptionally wonderful character development that you just want to squawk over?!? LET US CHAT IN THE COMMENTS!!

NANO IS GOING REALLY GOOD SO FAR!!! I have…um, *whispers* quite a lot of words. But I’m only halfway through the book which is a bit annoying. I wanted a small draft. -_- They keep stopping to eat though, annoying little dragon characters.

I’m so glad you liked it, I liked it as well!! But OMG I AGREE LITERALLY EVERYONE (okay finnne one character) WAS SUCH A BRAT IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS SO FRUSTRATING *flips table* (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ But it got better and I’m so happy that it did. P.S. Side note – don’t forget to unshrink your sister. It could possibly be dangerous for her health, being so small. I dunno. Possibly.

STELLA WAS A HEADACHE. But yet. I really did warm up to her!! And Carmina too. :’)

Buuuuut, whyyyyyy Paul??? I LIKE MY SISTER SO SMALL. I can put her in my pocket and if she gets too noisy or bossy I can put her in a box and put that box in another box and mail her to myself for fun.

WELL THAT JUST ABOUT MAKES MY DAY, THANK YOU, EM. <3 Ohhh, yes Lilac and Tarver were pretty darn amazing for character development too. :') I mean, at the beginning she was going to stab him with a high heel. So romantic. *ships quietly*

Oh hii *waves awkwardly*
Ahem! So the first time I heard you rave about this book, I added it to my tbr! Great review!! You’re soo lucky you already got to read it. Can’t wait to get my hands on it, specially after reading your review.

I’m so so glad I read your review for this one, Cait! And so thankful that you shared your thoughts. I’ve only read Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush Hush series, which I enjoyed but then I tried to read Black Ice, and I could not get into it. The MC also came off as unlikeable, kind of like the one you described in Dangerous Lies. Now, I’m thinking I DNFed it too soon and might give it another chance just in case Becca might have done some major character development there too. I definitely want to read Dangerous Lies as well, after reading how much you liked it! I love family themes and I’m all for people who say y’all. Adore your book photography as always!

I wasn’t such a fan of Black Ice either. >_< I mean, I liked the story, but not the characters. (I don't really feel like they got any smarter, tbh. XD) But Dangerous Lies...omg. It is the PERFECT example of HOW to write books with unlikeable characters and somehow let them worm into the readers' hearts. <3

Looks awesome! 🙂 I love when characters do that.
Technically, it’s redneck americans. Or hill-billies. But, I honestly like outback american better than either. 😛 I shall use that term from now on.
Oh, and “y’all” is a contraction of “you all”. So it’s a plural word to use when addressing a group.
Though personally, I say “you guys”, even when addressing a group of girls. Northwestern american thing, because it’s a common term around here.
*bows* This has been your american language class for today. 🙂

To be honest, I wasn’t sure whether or not to read this because her Hush, Hush trilogy has gotten some negative reviews, but you’ve made me reconsider. You know that there’s nothing more that I like than a engrossing and action-packed thriller, and this sounds like it fits that bill perfectly. It’s a shame the protagonist was a bit annoying at the beginning, but at the same time it’s great that she had some clear character development. Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous review! ♥

This is by faaaar my favourite Fitzpatrick book. I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT SOMEHOW I ENDED UP LOVING THE UNLIKEABLE CHARACTERS?!?!? *hugs them* It is excellent storytelling right here. Although I thiiiiink you will get annoyed at the emphasis on the romance. 😉 Just to warn you.

OH THAT MAKES SENSE, YA’LL. (Okay, it still doesn’t make sense for me to say “ya’ll” right then. But I haaaad to.) hehe *AHEM* But yes! I do quite like when books flip me around like this! It’s exciting.

Poor poor Mime, the things that poor smushy has to do in order to avoid a belting from her sister. Or being locked under the stairs.

I loved this one too. LOVED. IT. Which took me completely by surprise too. I liked Black Ice, but had a few issues with the romance, the character stupidity and Hush Hush was not my thing at all. But Dangerous Lies sucked me in and it was awesome. From the slow burning romance to the suspense to that asshole in Trigger as well. And couldn’t agree more about the character development, how awesome was that!

Incredible review smushster, but do you think you might need to enlarge your sister to full size again? 😀

BUT I MADE HER A POCKET SISTER FOR YOU, KELLY. YOU CAN ADOPT HER NOW AND KEEP HER IN YOUR POCKET. And what makes you think this kept her from being locked under the stairs. Back she goes. I’m bringing up the next Harry Potter.

IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE TOO!! *Flails* I was super worried at the beginning because Stella…ugh. I really loved the characters and Chet was just about as adorable as anything. THE ENDING THO. *Freaks out*

Ah, Cait and her glowing reviews strike again, making me want to read a book more than I ever assumed I would want to read it 😉 (True story.)

Y’all= You All. And yes, my brother is a fake Redneck (because I am sorry, you can’t be from the Northeast and have grown up as upper middle class and call yourself a redneck. You can’t!) so I think Redneck works here. Hick is also appropriate. If they’re from like, the middle of nowhere and have missing teeth. See: Jeff Foxworthy’s “You Might Be a Redneck…” and it will answer your questions 😀

I ummm haven’t read a Becca Fitzpatrick book. But I want to! That counts for something, right? Also, good work on your NaNoing. I am very impressed. (I looked at your word count because I now feel like I am in some weird competition with my friends, even though I know I don’t actually have enough hours in the day to compete with a season veteran like you!) Keep up the great work!! 😀

Hick just sounds hilarious to say. *ahem* I desperately want to just keep shouting bogan, but I shall conform and call them hicks and rednecks.

(Omg, ignore my wordcount Shannon!! I like have the opportunity to write ALL DAY if I want. *nods* So that’s definitely different form, like, having a family and life to sort of pay attention too, as well.) 😛

Oh my god, wow. It definitely sounds like Fitzpatrick has evolved a lot as an author. I mean, the very first books of hers that I read were Hush, Hush and Crescendo, and MAN, were they a far cry from what you’re describing above. I mean, yes, Fitzpatrick is famous for her unlikable characters and frothy romance, but FAMILY? That’s a completely new topic, and to see that the romance was actually believable has actually made me want to give this woman another chance! Way to go, Cait <3

Wow! This sounds fantastic! I do have a hard time with bratty characters (I’ve DNF a couple books because of that, like “The Secret Garden”. . .). But if you promise me it’s not all that bad, I think I can get through it. Because I do love good character development! It’s one of my favorite things of ever!

I love the photography! Mime is okay now, right?

Haha! I guess Southern America is kind of a culture to itself. XD I grew up in the South, but my parents didn’t so I can’t say that I’m full Southern. I don’t even like iced tea. . . But I do use ‘ya’ll.’ It’s like the plural form of “you.” Often when people get into those little arguments of “she was talking to me, not you,” in the South they usually settle it with, “she’s said ya’ll, not you, so she was talking to both of us.” (That happened to me fairly recently.) Even then though, we don’t really use the word “you” often. It usually turns into “ya,” like “Did ya know. . .?” I do find it funny that some people really do go by their two names like Ellen May or Dana Lee. Then there are some people whose real name is Bo or Chet? What does that even mean?!

BOGAN = RED NECK. I think. It’s like a slob. Do you say slob in America???

Omg you didn’t like the Secret Garden?! I always loved that book as a kid. I want to write a creepy retelling of it now…obviously. hehhh. *ahem*
YES MIME IS OKAY. I paid her in chocolate for the trauma of being so tiny for a while.
Your Southern American stuff IS like its own culture. 0_0 HAHA

Totally unrelated to this book but… I’m from the South where y’all is apparently just an ingrained part of speech BUT I grew up in a suburb and my family is Chinese so y’all is not a word I ever used… And now I live in the North where NO ONE says y’all and I keep trying to implement it into my own vocabulary in an attempt to reclaim the word and Be Southern. (It’s slow going.)

Anyway I have heard so much about Becca Fitzpatrick from, ironically, my non-American book friends & I keep meaning to check out her work!!!

I actually didn’t have as much luck with the author’s Hush Hush series which is why I kind of wrote reading this book off but you are making me revaluate my life, Cait. Why IS EVERYONE DOING THAT THIS TO ME? I already have too many books to read!

The rest of my comment is going to be a list because that is how I roll.
1. I love the bookphotography! So many pretty images. :))) YOU have such amazing skills, master.
2. Pretty sure y’all = you all. Like HEY Y’ALL. WHAT IS UP (the ceiling.)
3. I really like the sound of the character development in this book but am a little sad it’s more summer romance than it is action. i like me some action *does the monkey*

SAME. I mean I thought Hush Hush was okay? But Crescendo was a hot mess to me and I officially swore off the series. But yessss, DANGEROUS LIES IS LIKE JUST SO GOOD. And pfft, stop this moaning. You know you love me for making your TBR 10000 x worse.

I haven’t particularly enjoyed any of the previous Becca Fitzpatrick books I’ve read, but you make this one sound so awesome! I think I’ll definitely pick it up from my library (you know, fifty years from now when they finally buy it).
And I’m not sure if anyone’s already cleared this up, but y’all is a (very informal) abbreviation for “you all.” It’s also not necessarily a Southern thing–it’s basically in all rural parts of America (that I’ve been to).
Awesome post! Good luck with your Nano 🙂

It’s DEFINITELY my favourite of her books!! I didn’t have much luck with Hush Hush? But THIS ONE IS SO GOOD. (ahha, my library is the same. It’s woeful. -_-)
Ohhhh, so it’s just basically an American thing. *nods* That makes sense.

I’m overjoyed to see how much you liked this book!!! I’ll be starting it soon, and I’m even MORE excited now. Also, those photos completely amaze me! They are utter perfection and I just want to stare at them for hours… or days… or basically forever.

Just because you’re unable to comment on my blog, does not mean that I can’t keep coming back to yours to stalk your amazingness, so HERE I AM lol. First of all, why in the world is this character sending messages to her boyfriend while she’s in the witness protection program? Does she want to die over the penis??? lol. I haven’t read any books by Becca, and I actually thought that I never would. After I seen a ton of reviews of Black Ice where people pretty much thought it was horrible, Dangerous Lies wasn’t really on my radar. BUT, now it is, and NOW I WANT IT! Oh and before I forget, is it my laptop, OR is the effect on that pretty arrow I’m obsessed with no longer there?? If so, Cait we’re going to have some problems girl lol. JK. Or maybe not :)))))

UM< YEAH. *sigh* I don't know...like I guess teenagers can be dumb BUT SERIOUSLY!??! Life or boyfriend = I choose life. *quietly shoves Stella into a cellar until she can be smart* I wasn't in love with Black Ice, but I didn't HATE it. (The characters were, again, pros at horrible decision making. hehheh.) But yes! Dangerous Lies is definitely the pick of everything in my opinion! 😀
OMG NOOO?!? THE ARROW SHOULD STILL BE SHOOTING!! It only ever shoots on the main page though.